How to Find Consulting Jobs

Interested in finding a job in consulting? Consulting jobs provide tremendous career flexibility. Whether you want to consult in your current field, or another, here's how to find consulting jobs. Save

Consulting jobs provide tremendous career flexibility for a few very good reasons. For one, they can offer great opportunities to dive deeper into your existing career field. Consulting can also be a wonderful way to switch fields and set yourself on a new and more flexible career path. There are several approaches on how to find consulting jobs.

What do consultants do?

What do you need to know about how to find consulting jobs and make yourself an attractive candidate? First things first, it helps to have a clear understanding of what consultants do. Depending on the industry, a consultant job may entail bringing extensive knowledge and expertise to a particular company. Or, a consultant may be asked to bring broader expertise about management processes and specific business know-how that the employer doesn’t have in house.

In some instances, consultants are hired to supplement ongoing work, or they may be asked to provide guidance on a new project. Duties could include resolving organizational problems, providing business or financial advice, finding ways to increase revenue, or helping an employer pinpoint and reach larger company goals.

What kind of job flexibility does consulting offer?

Consulting jobs in the FlexJobs database demonstrate the wide variety of work flexibility options that consultants can enjoy. Often, employers hire consultants on a short-term, project-specific basis to work as independent contractors through the project’s completion. Part-time, freelance, and remote positions also are common flexible options for consultants.

What’s the growth potential for consulting jobs?

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects robust growth for management consultants (sometimes called management analysts). The job outlook for consulting is expected to increase by 14% from 2016 to 2026, a growth rate that reflects strong demand across several industries. Consultants currently enjoy an average salary of $82,450 per year, or $39.64 per hour, according to BLS.

Demand for consultants is particularly strong in healthcare due to factors such as the aging U.S. population. Separate data from Statistica, a statistical research company, reports operations and financial advising as the largest markets for consultants. Statistica also estimated that the global management consulting market would reach more than $139 billion by 2017.

What companies hire for consulting jobs?

A variety of companies, including smaller, mid-sized, and larger well-known firms, hire for consulting jobs. Statistica rated the top consulting firms in the U.S. in 2017. All of the top 10 have offered work flexibility options on FlexJobs, such as remote, part-time, or temporary work:

(Click on a company name to see open positions or past positions that the company has hired for.)

Strategies on how to find consulting jobs and get hired:

Target your industry of expertise. Keep in mind that, in addition the more widely known companies listed above, there are many more firms of all sizes that hire for general and specific consulting expertise. Check out FlexJobs’ list of the “Best 100 Companies for Remote and Flexible Consulting Jobs” to get a comprehensive look at just how many employers, across a wide range of industries, hire management, operational, and field-specific consultants.

Establish your specialty. Make sure you’re up to speed on the skill sets, certifications, and industry-focused knowledge you’ll need to establish your consulting specialty. Getting your name out there—in other words, establishing your brand—can give you concrete references to highlight when you apply for consulting jobs. Make yourself available on platforms like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to connect with journalists looking for quotes from experts like you. Another option is to launch your own blog, where you can expand on topics related to your field and establish an online presence as an expert.

Take classes and learn from others. Whether you’re new to consulting or have years of experience, it’s beneficial to make sure your knowledge is up to date. Take professional online classes and tutorials, and learn new skills online that build on what you already have to offer as a consultant. A mentorship can be a fantastic way to connect with an established professional in your targeted field, especially if you’re transitioning from a different career.

7 Comments

Hi,
I came across your article here “https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/how-to-find-consulting-jobs/” about consulting and read the following comment at the end:

“Readers, are you looking for consulting jobs? What would be your ideal consultant job? Let us know in the comments section below!”

In response to this, I would consider that my ideal consultant job would be helping people and their teams solve their business problems and bring truly unanticipated, the high-level, unanticipated results that throws even the most highly-experienced professionals to the floor, while motivating and inspiring enthusiasm in everyone involved to want to contribute to the effort to the best of their ability. I would be good at bringing out the best abilities in everyone involved, even those who may not be particularly self-sufficient in their roles.

I guess I can speak like this because I have achieved results like this in the past and I am dying right now trying to find a way or opportunity to really contribute to people in a big way that I know I am built to do! I am currently looking at consulting as an avenue in my professional career to reach the unlimited potential I know I can give to others in a worthy cause …only my frustration is building in not being able to get started. I know I am capable of really big things for a lot of really good people and its dying to come out in a big way.

If you or anyone out there that you might know can help me with this dilemma, I would love to hear from you. I am greatly passionate about what I do and am looking to get involved as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance.
The truly inspired and passionate problem solver – Sam.

At the age of 57 now I realize that I have a variety of knowledge to offer from Insurance to Business. But what I would really like to do is help struggling young people find jobs. Up until I was 45 I never had trouble finding work. Any job I applied for I always got. But I find today that not many young people have the skills in regards to going through an interview, providing the proper answers interviewers looks for, most do not know how to dress for a professional interview. I think I would do very well in a consulting situation of this nature, but it is something that young people are looking for. I would very much appreciate your input and maybe other options. Thank you for your time.

I’m looking for information on potential consulting opportunities dealing with family issues. My areas is expertise include conflict management, grief and crisis assistance or funeral and estate planning. For 26 years I’ve served as Senior Pastor to medium size congregations and as a Director of Missions /Ministry Coordinator for an association of 36 congregations. My education consists of 2 Master degrees in Ministry and Theology, an a Doctorate in Ministry focusing on Pastoral Care.

Hi Dennis – Welcome to FlexJobs! I would suggest taking a look at our consulting, house & family, and our human services job category. These would be great places to start. For a more targeted approach, I would suggest using the advanced search option. From there you can look at job opportunities in the fields you desire, as well as your career level, desired flexibility, location, and schedule. Best of luck in your search!

Hi Starnanda – Welcome to FlexJobs! First and foremost, I would like to invite you to contact our client services team so that you can speak with someone about the service, how to navigate the site, as well as how to apply for jobs. In the meantime, please check out the FAQ articles we have that are designed to help users of the site navigate their way around. Please let us know if you have any questions as you get started! Best of luck in your search!